How are the times measured for the F3B Speed-task?
E.g.4 timekeepers with manual stop-watches and then calulating the arithmetic mean, or with a video system?

Would be interesting to know!

Bernd

Here in Germany (and most of Europe) there are at least three judges at each turn base - each with their individual buzzer, that is connected to a timing computer. A turn is only valid, if at least two of the three judges press the buzzer simulateously (within a certain, small timeframe). The time will stop only after 5 valid signals (entering the course plus 3 turns plus leaving the course). The time displayed must be some kind of median value, but don't ask me, how it's calculated.
This system is pretty clever, since it rules out a lot of mistakes timers can make (pushing the buzzer too early or too late or accidentially, when the pilot just slightly misses the turn).

Friedmar

Maybe could be suitable also a high speed video camera at base A for registering the moments of start S and end E of the race. These moments can be determined subsequently viewing the video at the field. Substracting E-S, the speed times can be measured with 1/100 s precision, without the imprecise human reaction time effect. The judges are still necessary to signal with buzzers for turning.

For example, the following video was recorded with a cheap Casio EX-FC100 compact camera and a conventional stopwatch in a F3F flight.

clock (0 min 38 sec)